With the 2027 FIBA World Cup just over a year away, the bulk of the Australian senior men's national team will take part in a player-led mini-camp in Melbourne over the course of this week, sources told ESPN.
Most primary players from the Australian Boomers' last two major tournament campaigns will take part in the camp, sources said, including Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Jock Landale, and Patty Mills.
Ben Simmons will also take part in the camp, and will have 'zero restrictions', according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears. Simmons - a three-time NBA All-Star (2019-2021) and 2016 No. 1 overall draft pick - is eyeing a comeback to basketball after taking a season off to fully recover from his back injuries and to pursue off-court endeavours. The 30-year-old has yet to play for the Boomers in a major tournament.
This camp is not officially affiliated with Basketball Australia or the Boomers program, sources said; it's a player-run initiative, set to take place at CourtSide Melbourne.
The camp is an opportunity for the national team's primary players to spend time playing together in what is a non-major tournament year, ahead of the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Also among those expected to take part in the camp over the week, sources said, are Jack McVeigh, Alex Toohey, Lachlan Olbrich, and NBL Next Stars guards Luke Paul and Dash Daniels. The expectation is around 20 players will ultimately participate in the camp.
The 2027 FIBA World Cup is set to take place in Qatar from August 27 to September 12. The Boomers are currently undefeated in the Asian Qualifying process, which remains ongoing; the overwhelming expectation is that Australia will qualify.
The Boomers are coming off a sixth place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
